Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed profound shock and sorrow over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
President Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash early today (20 May) in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border.
In a condolence message, Sheikh Hasina stated, “I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the sad demise of President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and members of the entourage in the tragic accident of the helicopter carrying them.”
She added, “In this hour of grief, on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I convey our deepest condolences to the Government and the brotherly people of Iran.”
Prime Minister Hasina remembered President Raisi as a “wise and selfless leader who served his country with deep commitment and worked for the well-being of the people of Iran.”
She praised his leadership, saying, “He was a great leader of international stature and his exemplary leadership and accomplishments will remain a lasting legacy for us.”
The condolence letter was addressed to Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s first vice president, who earlier confirmed President Raisi’s death in a statement on social media and state television.
According to the state news agency IRNA, Raisi was flying in a US-made Bell 212 helicopter.
